A SUPPORT worker who works with children with special needs says he has been using his down time to grow a gigantic pumpkin.

Ryan Darling, 31, from St. John's says his pumpkin patch is his pride and joy.

"l have been super busy looking after children with disabilities and needed a project and some down time. Mind you I almost died when the water bill came through growing this monster!" said Ryan.

So, what is the secret to growing a monster pumpkin?

Ryan says: "Lots of water, good compost and be sure to protect the pumpkin from the sun when it grows so it doesn't ripen too early, which I didn't do, so this could have been bigger. I am definitely going to try and go bigger next year and donate it to charity for Halloween."

Have you been growing pumpkins this year? Are yours bigger than Ryan's? Send your photos in to jemma.bufton@newsquest.co.uk